Information from LCI

On this page will be published information from board of directors and from LCI

Our International Directors this year are ID Pirkko Vihavainen from Finland, and ID Halldór Kristánsson from Iceland.

ID Pirkko Vihavainen, IP Dr. Patty Hill and ID Halldór Kristánsson

Report 1/2023-2024

ID Pirkko Vihavainen, MD 107 Finland

Presidents 2023 – 2024:

  • IP Dr. Patti Hill,
  • 1st VP Fabricio Oliveira,
  • 2nd VP A.P. Singh,
  • 3rd VP Mark Lyon

European IDs:

1st year:

  • Marcel Daniels (Belgium),
  • Halldor Kristjansson (Iceland)
  • Daniel Kubin (Turkey)

2nd year:

  • Barbara Grewe (Germany)
  • Pirkko Vihavainen (Finland)
  • Jurg Vogt (Switzerland)

European non-voting committee members of the international board appointed by the president:

  • PIP Gudrun Yngvadottir (Iceland)
  • Teresa Dineen (Ireland)
  • Stewart Sherman-Kahn (UK)

The European IDs’ online meetings will be held on a monthly basis.

ID Pirkko committee is the Service Activities Committee, and I am the chairperson this year. I am also a member of the Executive Committee. I also participate in the Long Range Planning Committee as a guest.

International President’s theme:

Changing the World
One life, one relationship and one community at a time. Every small act of kindness matters!

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The Report about the Board Meeting, March 2024

ID Pirkko Vihavainen
Email: pivihav(at)gmail.com
Mobile: +358405601045

Please find here some topics of the Board Meeting in March in Vancouver, Canada. More details are available on www.lionsclubs.org

Please note that my comments in cursive.

Constitutions & By-Law committee

Approved proposal of amendment to the International By-Laws, Article IX., Section 6 to expand qualifying positions for a second vice district governor candidate to include the district global extension team coordinator, global leadership team coordinator, global membership team coordinator, global service team coordinator and LCIF coordinator. This will be voted by delegates at the Convention in Melbourne in June 2024.

Updated the Board Policy Manual, Chapter XV. Legal, Paragraph C. CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION, clarifying that an international officer endorsement shall remain valid until an endorsed candidate: a) is elected, b) contests for office and is not elected, or c) holds an endorsement for 3 years without seeking election. This provision is not effective until July 1, 2024.

Convention Committee

Confirmed the bidding cities for the 2030 and 2031 International Convention and will be formally presented for selection at the June 2024 board meeting, prior to the 2024 International Convention. One of the bidding cities is Helsinki.

LCI is a global association. It would be very natural to organize conventions in every part of the world, also in Northern Europe and in the Nordic Countries. In addition, it might motivate more members in the Northern Europe to take part in this international great meeting and seminars.

Leadership Development Committee

Approved the pause of new local FDIs beginning April 1, 2024, and throughout Lion year 2024-2025.

Approved the recommendation to develop an annual single online seminar to update past district governors on association priorities to be delivered in August 2024 and recorded in all Lion International official languages utilizing the KUDO platform.

Let’s take part in this seminar to be aware what is happening and how we can support the current leaders.

Long Range Planning (January 2024 meeting report)

Women and Young People Membership Growth Ad Hoc Committee will continue through the 2024-2025 year. The Chairperson of this committee is PID Sangeeta Jatia.

Leo Membership Category Ad Hoc Committee

The committee is looking at all aspects of a Leo membership category, from positioning to implementation, to developing a recommendation for the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC).

New opportunities to grow membership:

Development of a Corporate Club Model:

  1. Corporate Members join any existing club, the corporate can pay for member fees
  2. Corporate Lions Club for small to mid-sized businesses

 Review of Official Lion Languages

LRPC discussed relevant considerations when maintaining languages in areas with membership declines.  Membership growth in these countries is required to justify the cost of supporting these languages (Finnish and Swedish) in the future, however there will be no change to policy at this time.

We  can think of the value of Finnish and Swedish languages especially for the older members.  We Finnish and Swedish speaking Lions also can imagine the DGelect training in USA in another language than Finnish or Swedish.

 I am sure that we can grow in the membership. But it is up to every one of us.  Let’s try hard together, inspiring each other!

Ad Hoc Committee on Board Representation

This means f.g how many IDs will be in every Constitutional area. Presentation of the plan will be presented to LRPC for consideration at their meeting in May 2024.

Now we have six (6) International Directors at the Board, one representative of the Nordic Countries at a time after this Lion year.

 Global Cause Evaluation

The results of the questionnaire on evaluating Lion and Leo viewpoints related to
the current eight global causes and mental health & wellbeing. Key findings are:

There is widespread awareness of global causes, and high interest in each global cause and no popular candidate to be the signature cause was founded.

We have elements of Mental health and wellbeing in Lions Quest Program. We can support this topic in many other ways as well.

Marketing Committee

Selected Lions International Award Winners for the 2023-2024 Lions year. Winning clubs will be announced in April.

Membership Development Committee

Enhanced the district Global Action Team (GAT) by requiring districts appoint a Global Extension Team  (GET) district coordinator.

Updated the Multiple District Bylaws, requiring Council Chairs seek approval from GAT area leaders for their multiple district GAT coordinators.

Service Activites Committee

Received an update on advocacy events, the Lions International Representatives to the United Nations, and the United Nations Summit of the Future.

I have written more about the Service Activities in my former separate report.

Technology Committee

The Lion Portal launch has been planned for April 15, 2024.

Discussed the need to effectively engage members when setting future Lion Portal priorities. This means member feedback will be used when building out the product roadmap.

The association continues to move forward with an approach focused on controls that directly support digital security and does not depend on formal certifications.

Data privacy remains critical to the organization as members need to know their information is secure and only shared for legitimate business purposes.

Now let us wait for emails with invitations to the Lion Portal. We will get invitations on the 2nd of May.

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Highlights from the Board Meeting March 14-20, 2024

Service Activities Committee a great committee. On the right Division Manager Jennifer Mach.

Service Activities Committee meeting in Vancouver, Canada

I will give you here some highlights of discussions and decisions at Service Activities Committee March 13-16. More information you can find on lionsclubs.org website.

Service Reporting

Through January 2024 Lions and Leos have reported 1.1 million service activities, up 6 % from the same time last year. Those activities served 282 million people, a 12 % decrease from last year. In Europe 40 % of the clubs have reported, 0%-78%. Finland, Italy and Tyrkiye have reported 70% or more.

We can think that the service in itself is most important. Yes, it is, but why it is also important to report our activities. Here you can see some of the reasons: Strenghten Storytelling, Inform Decisions, Inspire Service, Grow Partnership, Enlighten Leaders and Be Proud! Please, learn more by visiting our Service Reporting webpage, lionsclubs.org/service-reporting

Our staff has also prepared guidelines and added project types to make reporting easier to do. Now I ask your club secretary or some respective to nominate and add also Service Activities Chairperson – and all GAT chairpersons and their email addresses in Lion Portal for next lion year.

I would like to encourage you to report every month.  When I was the club secretary I put the activities into MyLion immediately when they was done. In the end of the Lion year the annual report was ready for the annual meeting. Keep it simply!

Global Cause Questionnaire

Our committee reviewed the results of the recently completed Lions global cause questionnaire. The importance of eight global causes varies globally. Mental health and well-being was also measured as a potential global cause. It may be an attractive and motivating cause for younger and potential new members, and many Lions are already addressing this issue via Lions Quest and local projects. The committee requested the Long Range Planning Committee review the feedback at their next meeting.

Kindness Matters Service Award

The committee has selected thirty winners from eighty-five complete nominations. Each constitutional area and global cause were represented among the winners, and four of the winning clubs were Leo clubs.

For next awards, please notice the following date:

August 15: Deadline for club service chairpersons and Leo club presidents to send one nomination to the district global service team (D GST) coordinator

September 15: Deadline for D GST coordinator to send on nomination to the MD GST coordinator

October 31: Deadline for MD GST to send on nomination to Lions International and copy to MD CC

All nominations shall be sent electronically. Nomination form is available on service activity website.

Earth Day on April 22

This day is an opportunity for clubs around the world to plan an environment service project and invite potential members to join them. Let’s see, if we still have snow in the northern parts of Europe. But Lions are creative and can find suitable activities in every situation!

Mission 1.5 trough Service!

ID Pirkko Vihavainen, LC Juva/Luonteri

Service Activities Committee, Chairperson

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ID Pirkko’s speatch at NSR in Norway 2024

ID Pirkko Vihavainen Second year International Director Pirkko Vihavainen, MD 107, Finland

Dear lions family of the Nordic countries!

I have sent my reports after Board Meeting in October to all CCs and on NSR website. Therefore I will not repeat it even though I am a former teacher!

We have talked quite a lot about what an important task we lions have in this unstable world in helping people in need and bringing them hope and trust to the future. But how can we do it? We are helping them in many ways today. But do we ourselves trust the future, or imagine different futures?

It would be important to be able to see or sense silent signals in the world around us. How might our future be? How do we navigate uncertain and complex situations? How can we identify various needs and find solutions? We truly need more flexibility, more transparency, more shared understanding. 

We need to open our minds to new ways to think and act. I can ask myself, am I still able to change my attitudes at my age? If not, younger people, you have to help me and ask me to join your think tank or brainstorms. 

We are lions. We can design our futures. Together we can change the world, first ourselves, then one relationship, one community at a time.

I go back to Mission 1.5.-  LCI has given us that challenge. Do you feel that it really begins within you? Or not? And how do the members of our clubs feel it in their hearts? – Actually it is not about getting more members. It is about getting more helping people to face and contribute to the increasing needs in our communities and globally. I just want to encourage all of you – and myself – to help our members to keep this in mind.

I encourage you MD-coordinators, GSTs, GLTs, GMTs and LCIF coordinators of our Nordic countries to collaborate actively. It might be quite easy because your terms are 3 years.

Mission 1.5 also means Finnish and Swedish language’ positions as official languages in LCI. If we want these languages to have this position also in the future, it is our task to act.

We don’t need to do it alone. LCI, Kyle with his staff, our GAT leaders and many others will support and help us. –  And Let’s keep in mind, that our clubs are the heart of lionism. They need to be supported. They need tools.

Please, don’t forget to report your activities, smaller and bigger. All of them are important and can change someone’s life.

Then some news. There are many issues in discussions and proceedings in LCI, f.g Ad Hoc Committee, led by PID Sangeeta Jatia, is working on how lionism could be more friendly to women and young people. Another Ad Hoc Committee is working on international directors as Board members. PIP Gudrun is a member of this committee.

The research study of our eight global causes has been made and the results received. We have also talked about Mental Wellness as one potential global cause. We will continue with reviewing the results and taking the next steps. As a member of the Service Activity Committee I can see how different needs people have in their areas. This fact we can see in results as well.

Global Grants have been approved this fiscal year 19 million US dollars: Disaster Relief Mexico Hurricane, Morocco Earthquake, Türkiye Earthquake, Middle East Conflict.

You certainly have been informed that lion Portal will not be ready in January. I think, this finally is good news. There have still been made more testings.

Let’s trust each other and better future! Let’s open new doors and keep in mind that new doors need new keys.

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PIP Gudrun Yngvadottir as the Chair of European Long Range Planning Committee told in addition for example about the new ID rotation list and Lions Task Force Europe.

Our first year International Director Halldor Kristjanssen from Iceland was introduced. He will continue one more term. After that there will be one ID from some Nordic Country at a time – each year.

Highlights from the Board Meeting October 13-16, 2023

ID Pirkko Vihavainen

The Board Meeting was held in Cairo. After the Opening Meeting the Committees held their meetings. Before the final decisions we had an informal discussion, where each committee gave their report and we had an opportunity to ask questions and give comments.

Some decisions of the Board Meeting, held on 13-16, Oct 2023:

CONVENTION COMMITTEE

Discussed and approved the 2024 Line of March for the Parade of Nations.

DISTRICT AND CLUB SERVICE COMMITTEE

Approved changes to the redistricting policy to allow districts with 1,000 or more members and districts less than 1,000 that are growing an average of 1% or more, to vote on a redistricting proposal that impacts the district. This policy change is contingent on a 2 constitutional amendment, which will be considered by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee in March 2024.

FINANCE & HEADQUARTERS OPERATION COMMITTEE

  1. Approved the FY 2023-2024 1st Quarter Forecast, reflecting a deficit.
  2. Revised Chapter XIV, Leadership Development, of Board Policy for new director orientation to be held immediately following the international convention at the site thereof.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

  1. Supported the plan to transition the current ALLI Leo-Lion Scholarship to a Faculty Development Institute (FDI) scholarship beginning in 2024-2025.
  2. Established for LCIP participants who do not certify on the first attempt a time limit of two years to apply and submit the required video for LCIP certification.
  3. Approved an extension of the Leadership Development Institute Grant deadline through December 31, 2023.
  4. Supported future survey of multiple districts and single districts to inform the design of the future model of Second Vice District Governors and First Vice District Governors/District Governors-Elect training programs.
  5. Revised the Board Policy Manual by replacing the phrase “District Governor Team Manual” with “District eBook.”

LONG RANGE PLANNING (AUGUST 2023 MEETING REPORT)

  1. Resolved to create an ad hoc committee to study how to make LCI more friendly to women and young people.
  2. Resolved to conduct a research study of Lions International’s global causes and the potential addition of mental health or wellness.
  3. Recommended the creation of an ad hoc committee to develop a Leo membership category and referred the matter to the Membership Development Committee.
  4. Recommended the creation of a working group to study the development of a corporate club   model and referred the matter to the Membership Development Committee.
  5. Recommended amending board policy to hold New Director Orientation at the location of the     Lions International Convention, and limiting the length to one day

MARKETING COMMITTEE

  1. Approved 43 Marketing Grants for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Seven (7) were declined due to funding issues. Funds have been exhausted for this year.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

  1. Approved the 2024-2026 Leo Club Advisory Panel.
  2. Discussed next steps to investigate corporate membership opportunities.
  3. Reviewed and update the committee on the MISSION 1.5 rollout and
    • a. Approved additional funds for training Global Action Team district and multiple district coordinators.
    • b. Approved additional giveaways to promote the initiative.
  4.  Approved an ad hoc committee be created to investigate Leos as Members.
  5.  Created policy in Board Policy Manual chapter XXII, adding a membership chairperson to the Leo Club Program structure.

SERVICE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

  1. Resolved to amend board policy to update the Service Activities Committee charter to reflect the current eight Lions International global causes.
  2. Received a report on service reporting and plans to increase adherence to service reporting guidelines.
  3. Selected winners of the Youth Camps and Exchange Top Ten Chairperson Award.
  4. Supported a recommendation from the Long Range Planning Committee to conduct a survey to evaluate Lions International global causes.
  5. Discussed new potential service opportunities, including road safety, supporting individuals with autism, and disaster preparedness.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

1. Received a comprehensive update on the Salesforce project. Staff confirmed the Lion Portal is expected to launch in January 2024.

2. Discussed the change management and member engagement strategy needed to minimize the impact of a change to the digital member experience. Also discussed the need to engage members when setting future Lion Portal priorities.

3. Reviewed an update on the organization’s holistic approach to security.

5. Received an update on infrastructure initiatives. Progress had been made on three fronts: compliance, infrastructure improvements, and network security.

For more information on any of the above summaries, please refer to the LCI website at

www.lionsclubs.org

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Highlights from the July 2023 Board Meeting,

with comments from ID Pirkko:

  1. Global Action Team (GAT) members and LCIF coordinators on the district level can serve on the board.
  2. There has been discussion about expanding the eligibility criteria for 2VDG. Discussions continue. Background: an initiative from District 107 L was discussed at the first Council of Governors meeting in FY 2023-2024 and sent to the International Board for consideration. The first discussion has taken place in the committee in Boston and the discussion is scheduled to continue in October.

    The intention is to expand the eligibility criteria to include district GAT members and the LCIF coordinator as eligible candidates for the position of 2nd Vice District Governor. They have a broad view of the situation throughout the district. This would bring more talented and enthusiastic Lions into leadership positions.
  3. Mission 1.5
    • Goal is to have 1,5 million Lions by June 30, 2027
    • 2nd Vice President A.P. Singh to support and encourage the growth of European Lions.
    • Membership to increase
    • Let’s also remember: 12 months to reactivate a cancelled club with 10 members
    • Lions and Leos working together to increase service capacity – more things to do together
    • Districts may charter three campus clubs per season, for a total of 100 charter student members. The campus clubs to be established will then be reported to the Membership Development Committee for approval. A campus club is defined as a club with five or more students as charter members.
    • Information about International Extension Awards in Chapter 10
    • Increase the visibility of the service done by the Lions of Finland and Europe as a whole, also in the world and not only at home
    • Using the tools provided by LCI. A common effort to use these tools.
    • Explore the service needs of your community
    • Collaboration with other organizations and municipalities. Celebrating the community week (September 11-17), with the aim of bringing together different participants for the benefit of the community.
    • More hands, more service to meet the growing need for help
    • Add members to every club
    • Add clubs to districts
  4. The launch of Salesforce will be delayed from September due to additional testing. MYLCI, MyLion and Insights will be used until then.
  5. The position of Specialty Club Coordinator has been discontinued and the responsibilities have been transferred to the Extension Coordinator (GET).
  6. Next Convention venues:
    • 2024 Melbourne
    • 2025 Mexico City
    • 2026 Atlanta
    • 2027 Washington D.C.
    • 2028 Singapore
    • 2029 Minneapolis
    • 2030 and 2031 applications due by November 16. Decisions will be made at the March 2024 board meeting
  7. Global causes: Vision, Hunger, Childhood Cancer, Environment (environmental awareness, recycling and waste management, environmental clean-up and restoration, clean water and sanitation), Diabetes, Humanitarian Aid and Refugee Assistance, Youth, Disaster Relief.
  8. From Leos to Lions – An issue for all of us: How do we support Leos so that they continue as Lions? How do we work more closely together?
  9. New Voices – see also FB
  10. More information:
    • lionsclubs.org
    • once your role in the MD, district or club is registered in MyLCI, you will receive information specific to you from the headquarters in Oak Brook and from domestic contacts. They also provide links to more in-depth information.
  11. LCIF
    • Continue to donate to LCIF and apply for grants to help with our service
  12. Other matters
    • October – International Relations Month, UN Day
    • Joint activities with clubs and districts around the world
    • Lions International resources and programs to support international contacts, including forums and annual meetings
    • MyLion app, LCI social media apps and Youth Camp and Exchange program
  13. International Lions Pledge
    • It is recommended that Lions use the following pledge at new member welcome ceremonies:
      I pledge allegiance to my country and to the cause of peace throughout the world.
      I believe in the principles of Lionism as contained in the Code Of Ethics.
      I am proud to be a Lion, dedicated to the service of others.